Chapter 2: A Wind Surfaces

Hello again! This is the second chapter of the story, now re-edited!

Disclaimer: Dark Flame Alchemist doesn't own Kaze no Stigma except for her OC.

Four Years Later

Karai's Point of View

I sat in the private jet, staring at the window as I waited to return home after handling some business with some clients in a different city. I was finally able to get out of my formal kimono and wear my usual clothing: a red tank top, black flared jeans, red fingerless gloves, black boots with heels, and a black sleeveless trench coat with a hood.

It has been four years since Kazuma was banished and two years since the death of my parents. They died during a battle which my clan assumed was caused by the Fuga clan, who our family despised. I still remember that day when I received the news.

Flashback

I was training with my cousin Ichiru, a member of the second branch, when several of the family members came and interrupted our sparring.

"Lady Karai, we have terrible news," said one of the members.

I looked at them curiously, wondering what news could it be this time, "Well? What is it?"

Another member spoke up with sad eyes, "It seems your parents and some of the family members were attacked by wind magic users. Although we have no evidence, we suspect it was the Fuga clan."

I stood there with my fists clenched, holding in all my anger that I wanted to release, but had to keep in because of what happened next that wasn't supposed to happen for a while.

The members stepped aside to the left and right to reveal my Uncle Daichi with our family's sacred sword, the Kaito Enraiha, sister sword to the Kannagi family's Enraiha. "Since you are of age, we all feel that you are prepared to take the duty as head of the Uchiha family," Uncle Daichi said with no regret, "but the choice is yours."

I walked towards my uncle, grasped the sword in my right hand, and held it up high, emitting black flames around the sword. After a minute, I let the flames fade.

"I will accept my position as the head," I proudly said, putting the sword to my side, "but I wish to have my uncle take some of the responsibility as well since I don't feel that I am prepared yet to take full position by myself."

Everyone agreed and all bowed. Uncle Daichi also replied, "As you wish Karai. I will help you."

I nodded at him, "We will get those bastards for messing with the wrong family," I finished before walking out of the room to go prepare for the ceremony which both the Kannagi and Uchiha families attended.

Flashback Ended

"Father never did tell me the secret that he wanted to tell me...," I said sadly and sighed, "I guess I will never find out. Hopefully it wasn't that important."

I continued to look out the window, 'I wonder how Uncle Daichi is doing running the residence while I'm gone,' I thought, 'It must be tiresome for him to run the compound while I get to do business outside the compound.'

"Lady Karai."

I turned away from the window to look at Ichiru, "Yes, Ichi?"

"We will be arriving shortly. I also have received word from the house that the head of the Kannagis would like to speak with you after you are well-rested," he reported to me.

I looked at my watch that read 12:30 pm, "Very well, Ichiru; send word that we will be going there around 3 pm," I replied before looking up at him with an annoyed look, "and you know better than to call me Lady Karai, Ichiru."

"Of course Karai, just messing with you," he chuckled before going back to his own business as I did with mine.

I looked back in the direction of the window, 'Hmm, I wonder what Jugo needs me for?' I thought curiously, as the plane started to land.

~…~

I waited in a kneeled position for Jugo to come and sipped the tea I had received. Soon, I heard footsteps coming from my right.

"Master Jugo," a voice behind the one who made the footsteps said. I was able to see the shadow outlines of the two people from the wall. One of the figures was standing which I presumed was Jugo, while the other person kneeled. My eyes grew cold as I recognized the voice of the kneeled person.

"What is it Hyoue?" Jugo asked.

'I knew it,' I thought while listening in to their conversation, 'It is Hyoue Kazamaki of the Fuga Clan. Those bastards killed my parents and several family members. I mean, come on, they wanted to get revenge on both families for like hundreds of years now!'

"The identity of the wind magic user who killed the young men from the branch line is still unknown. However, the entire Fuga clan will be mobilized for the search. We will find this killer for you. Please grant us just a little more time, sir," Hyoue informed him.

My eyes widened, 'Some of the members were killed? And it was by a wind magic user as well…' I though before growling to myself, 'it was probably the Fuga clan. It totally made sense since they have been inferior to our clans, mostly the Kannagis.'

"Of course; carry on then," Jugo replied before he started to leave, but then paused and turned back, "Hyoue, how has your son been recently? His name is Ryuya, right?"

'Hmm, that is very suspicious….' I thought cautiously.

"Yes sir; his condition requires much bed rest. Though he will survive, I fear he will not recover enough to serve your family, master," he answered.

"That should be the least of your concerns. Just let him recuperate, and tell him that I wish him well," he stated before he turned to leave to meet with me.

"Yes, many thanks, Jugo," Hyoue replied before pushing himself up and walking away in the other direction.

I closed my eyes, waiting for him to enter, 'That Jugo is too kind for those bastards.' The door then slid open and closed.

"Lady Karai, I hope I haven't made you wait too long," Jugo said as he settled in his spot, "How was your trip to the north?"

"Please Jugo, you know to just call me Karai," I told him with a chuckle before answering his question, "The trip went well by the way. I just arrived this morning when I received the news that you needed to speak with me."

"Of course Karai; now, as you already heard from my conversation outside, some members of the Kannagi family were killed last night by a wind magic user-," he stated before I cut him off, "and you want me to help with this because of the incident with my clan a few years ago?"

"You always were smart," he mentioned with a slight chuckle, "and yes, I need your help. Before you start again, I know that you are thinking that it was the Fuga clan, but we can't just assume these things especially since they serve under my family. You can investigate all you want, just try not to get into worse terms than they already are with you," he warned.

I sighed, "Very well then… as head of the Uchiha family, I will respect your wishes, but don't expect me not to hurt them if I find that they did kill the members from each of our family, especially the previous head," I stated a bit coldly.

"As you wish then; if it is found out that they were responsible for the deaths of members from both families, you can do what you want with them," he said.

"I would appreciate that very much Jugo," I said with a serious tone, before I sipped some my tea and there was silence for a few minutes.

A question then came up in my mind, "By the way, where is that daughter of yours?" I asked curiously. 'I never really liked her… especially since she was the one who battled and defeated Kazuma in the successor ceremony.'

"Oh, she got grounded for sneaking out last night with the two members who were killed last night when they were doing an investigation," he replied before standing up and facing the wall behind him with his hands on his back, "She claims to have seen who killed them."

I smirked, "That is just like her to do something like that. So, who does she think killed them?"

He turned around and looked at me, "Kazuma Kannagi." The door to the right of us slid open just as he said that.

I didn't see who came in as my face became filled with shock, "Ka-Kazuma? He's back?"

"Damn right he is!" I looked who said that and saw that it was Ayano who looked pissed off, "That bastard killed them! I saw him right in front of their bodies! He apparently now possesses wind magic which he used to murder them!"

She growled before continuing, "The next time I see that jerk, I'll burn him with my Enraiha!" she exclaimed as she materialized her family's sacred sword.

"And how do you know if he actually did it if you just saw him in front of them? That doesn't mean that he did it, he could have been framed for all we know. You shouldn't just assume things like that without thinking of other possibilities, Ayano," I said with a point.

'At least I have good reasons to assume that the Fuga clan murdered our family members, this girl just has one way of thinking,' I thought before realizing something, 'Wait a minute.. So Kazuma was able to possess some type of magic after all… I'm glad.'

"That is right Ayano." We both looked at Jugo who said those words, "you should learn from Karai, seeing as she began to take her duty as head of her family not too long ago and at a young age."

"Ha! I am positive that that jerk did it and I will do something about it!" She declared before pointing at me, "and I will be a better head than you! Just you wait!"

I put on a smirk, "We'll see about that Ayano, but let me tell you this. I know more about Kazuma than you do, and he isn't the type of person to go off killing people without reason."

Ayano crossed her arms, "You're just saying that because he was your boyfriend! I know what I saw and I will prove it to you the next time I see him!" We were soon glaring at each other.

'Why that little-!' I thought as a stress mark appeared on my head.

"Ayano, you are still grounded so I am assuming you mean when you are not unless you want it to be longer," said her father before drinking some more of his tea.

A sweat drop appeared on her head, "Umm that's ok, I think I will go take a bath now. I'll see you later."

She bowed to Jugo, "Father," and then she bowed down to me with a face like she is forcing herself to do it, "Lady Karai."

I put on a forced smile and nodded my head, "Just call me Karai, Ayano." She nodded before leaving the room and sliding it closed, leaving me and Jugo alone in the room once again.

I turned my head back to Jugo, "So what are you going to do about Kazuma?" I asked curiously.

"Genma went off to go get him for questioning," Jugo said as he sat back down drinking a cup of tea. He noticed my worried eyes, "Don't worry, Genma and I both know Kazuma won't do something like that, but the members of my family think he did. Besides, with you on the case, we'll be able to figure out who is behind the killings."

"Yeah," I said drinking my cup of tea.

Once again, the door slid open. "Master Jugo," a Kannagi member said before noticing me, "Lady Karai!"

I nodded my head as he looked back to Jugo to report in, "Genma is in the hospital."

"I'm guessing Kazuma defeated him?" I said before going back to sipping my tea while in my head I was laughing hysterically at the thought of Kazuma beating Genma's ass.

"How is he doing?" Jugo said, looking at me like he knew that I was silently laughing, but didn't a word.

"He is doing fine. He just needs to rest in the hospital for a few days," said the family member.

"Very well then; tell him that I wish him well and that I'll have Kazuma taken care of," Jugo replied. The Kannagi member bowed to Jugo and me. He slid the door closed and left.

I stood up, "Well, it's already late. I better get going back home and see how things have been with Uncle Daichi in charge of the house. I'll see you tomorrow for details of the case."

"All right then Karai, I'll see you tomorrow. Tell your uncle I said hi," Jugo said. I immediately went to the door, slid it open and closed it. I put on my boots and left to go home in my car.

Jugo's Point of View

Karai closed the door. I could see her shadow as she put on her boots and watched as her shadow faded away.

I looked sadly at the door, 'Karai you've had many hardships in life. I wish that Daisuke and Hikari didn't die yet so we could have been able to talk things out easier. I will now have to tell you myself one of these days."

Ayano shows up already and Kazuma will slightly appear in the next chapter if you're wondering where he is.

Review please? :3